Max Doddy's mum Deborah says James Arthur's songs have helped her son get through a difficult time following the accident

James Arthur’s song Recovery has extra special meaning for mega-fan Max Doddy.

Just over a year ago the nine-year-old was seriously injured in a car accident that also involved his brothers Charlie, now 16, and Joe, 12, and twin sister Halle.

But his mum Deborah says James’ songs have helped him get through a difficult time - and fighter Max who broke his leg, collarbone and ribs in the accident - was spotted singing his heart out at the Middlesbrough-born pop star's sell-out concert last weekend which can be seen on our website.

In the accident the then eight-year-old had to be airlifted to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital and treated in intensive care for his injuries.

The family was on the way home to Eston from Redcar’s Boxing Day Dip when their Ford Mondeo was involved in a four-car smash on the A174 near the Kirkleatham roundabout,

Bankfields Primary School pupil Max had his injured right leg pinned by surgeons at James Cook and is still under a consultant’s care.

Max’s twin sister Halle was treated for a head injury, dad Andrew, 44, a supervisor, had chest and arm injuries and Joe had slight facial injuries.

Older brother Charlie was unhurt and rang his shocked mum at home from the crash scene to break the news.

Deborah said receiving the call was one of the worst moments of her life.

She said: “That morning I thought I’d lost them.

“It was a massive shock.

“Max has still got a problem with his leg and is under a consultant at James Cook. Max is back playing football - which he loves - but he gets tired really easily and his leg will ache afterwards. We have to watch how much training he does. He’s not totally back to his usual self just yet.”

Deborah - whose family has now raised around £5,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance - says Max’s positive attitude has never waivered.

She said: “He never stops smiling. Even after the accident he always had a smiling face. He takes everything in his stride.” And, she says, she may have a wannabe pop star on her hands. She added: “I think he would be good on stage.”

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